Etihad Airways Emirati Graduate Engineers

As part of its UAE national development strategy, Etihad Airways has posted two of its Emirati graduate engineers to Geneva, Switzerland, to undergo on-the-job (OTJ) training with Etihad Regional, operated by Darwin Airline.

The two graduate
engineers, Hamed Alredha and Ahmed Haisan, will spend three months at Etihad
Regional’s maintenance facility in Geneva Airport, learning the daily engineering
checks and inspections, and fault repairs for the airline’s aircraft systems
and cabins.

Both trainees will work
on the Swiss-based carrier’s Saab 2000 turboprop aircraft, alongside and under
the supervision of top Etihad Regional engineers. Etihad Airways’ Chief
Operations Officer, Richard Hill, said: “Etihad Airways is committed to
developing skilled and qualified Emirati engineers who will play a pivotal role
in maintaining the safety and efficiency of the airline’s fleet.

“We are very proud of
our young UAE national trainees and are confident the new group will make good
use of this opportunity to gain valuable international exposure and learn to
operate in various work environments.”

Hamed and Ahmed
successfully completed the airline’s Technical Engineering Development Program
from the Higher Colleges of Technology in Abu Dhabi. The program allows
trainees to obtain an engineering licence in airframe and engines or a licence in
aviation engineering technology, which are accredited by the UAE General Civil
Aviation Authority (GCAA) and the Ministry of Higher Education. Upon completion of
their academic qualifications, the trainees undergo 24 months of OTJ training with
Etihad Airways Engineering to complete the GCAA practical requirements.

During this
time, the trainees are posted to various sections of Etihad Airways Engineering
such as light/heavy and line maintenance facilities. They also have to complete
a specialised aircraft type course to become fully licenced Airbus or Boeing
aircraft engineers.

The trainees are
chosen after extensive assessments, and once qualified, will become part of
Etihad Airways Engineering, the airline’s technical division at the dedicated
aircraft line maintenance facility at Abu Dhabi airport.

Hamed Alredha, one of
the graduate engineers currently undergoing on-the-job training, said: “Being
part of the training has been a challenging but rewarding experience. The
support we receive from Etihad Airways’ management is phenomenal, and we are extremely
grateful to receive these world-class learning and development opportunities.”

Ahmed Haisan said: “Today’s
aviation industry is very demanding and competitive. But I firmly believe that this
training program equips us with the right skills and knowledge to contribute to
the ongoing efficiency and safety of the national airline of the UAE.”

Etihad Airways’
Technical Engineering Development Program, which currently has over 200 students,
prepares young UAE nationals for positions with the airline’s technical division,
where they have access to its state-of-the-art facilities and work on one of
the most modern fleets in the world.